HESPR: the impartial way

The launch in 2008 of the IHBC’s (Institute of Historic Building Conservation) Historic Environment Service Provider Recognition, listing quality-assured conservation companies, was a new direction for the institute.

HESPR, the Historic Environment Service Provider Recognition, provides a list of quality-assured conservation companies working to the standards of the IHBC. It offers a source of professional advice for owners looking for guidance; for developers or agents looking for specialist advice to inform proposals; and for local authorities offering an impartial way to find professional help.

The referral possibilities are especially useful for local authority officers who can not give out the names of suitable consultants directly but are able, through HESPR, to offer applicants a choice of suitable consultants with confidence that appropriate conservation standards will be maintained.

Being a HESPR-recognised company also brings benefits for that company. Previously the idea of a listing promoting IHBC members’ commercial practice was seen as almost distasteful. The difference between HESPR and the typical commercial listing is that HESPR is driven by standards. HESPR businesses protect their standards by identifying an operational link with a lead professional, the designated service adviser (DSA), who is a full member of the IHBC.

The DSA works in line with the IHBC’s expectations of standards, providing the corporate quality-assurance link for the institute and a practice point of contact for HESPR. Quality control is through the DSA, who can be subject to IHBC disciplinary measures under the institute’s Code of Conduct. HESPR allows companies to subscribe to, and support publicly, IHBC standards and, through their professional practice, maintain standards in conservation.

As well as the extensive promotion of HESPR and its members through the website, IHBC NewsBlogs, the IHBC Yearbook, social media and IHBC networks and events, HESPR member companies receive an invaluable digest of tender opportunities in the weekly bulletin of News and Tender Alerts and, if it is needed, free annual job advertising through IHBC’s Jobs etc.

Last year a new initiative was introduced: HESPR ‘15 minutes free advice’, offering enough expert advice from HESPR conservation practices to work towards the answers, point owners towards other sources of information or suggest where further professional advice is required.

HESPR continues to grow and now numbers over 50 practices of all sizes, from major multi-office architectural firms to small companies, and many sole traders like myself. HESPR is an excellent way of ensuring that my clients understand that I am knowledgeable about my work and always give advice in accordance with IHBC Code of Conduct. As a sole trader, HESPR is an economical way for a small operation to gain highly relevant publicity for the services I offer.

Working in Lincolnshire, I already have most agents and architects of repute on my client list. When new clients contact me, where they have no agent or architect, or they are outside the county, they usually mention HESPR as their route to finding me. I joined HESPR early in 2017: applying was simple, just needing references from suitable conservation projects and completion of a short application form. Once your company is added to HESPR, those looking for a conservation practitioner or company can search for your company using a map or by the type of specialism needed.